Pitcher&#39;s practice target



Jan. 4, 1927. f 1,612,920v

A. HlLlsTRoM PITCHERS PRACTICE TRGET Filed Sept. 16, 1926 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

UNITED STATES ALFRED HILLSTROM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PITCHERS PRACTICE TARGET.

Application filed September 16, 1926. Seria1 No. 135,721.

This invention relates to an improved automatic ball pitcher and has for one oil its principal objects the provision of means ior autoniatically delivering or ejecting balls 5 and particularly solid balls such as bascballs and the like, to a player operating the same.

@ne ot the important objects of this invention is the provision in an automatic,

ball pitcher of means for perfecting the delivery or the pitching characteristics of any person .desiring to operate the same and in combination with elements for returning the ball to the player.

Still another and further important object ot' this invention is to provide a means tor automatically delivering baseballs or the like in a desired direction, elements tor determining the direction ot delivery ot such baseballs or other missiles, such direction depending upon the accuracy of the initial delivery by the player.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention in a preferred form is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more tully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1, is a front elevation ot the improved automatic ball pitcher ot this invention showing the sume mounted in operating position.

Figure 2, is a vertical sectional view ot the device.

Figure 3, is a rear view of the apparatus, parts being removed.

Figure 4, is a sectional view of' the resililff ent ball receiving and returning element.

Figure 5, is a` front elevation illustrating a slight modification ot the invention.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates gent" orally a circular target or the like comprising the ball receiving and returning element ot this invention. This element 1() comprises preferably a sheet of rubber or other resilient material otl suiiicient strength to operate satisfactorily.

From an inspection of Figures 2 and 4, it will appear' that this circular .sheet of rubber 10 is provided with integral rear-wardly extending tlanges 12. These flanges adapt the al device to be stretched over a circular trame 14. cylindrical in shape and having its outward edges curved rear-wardly and inwardly as shown at 16l in order to avoid sharp edges.

`The rear edge of this cylindrical member 14 is turned outwardly and at certain portions along said edge, rings 16 are attixed. These rings in turn supporting turn-buckles 18 which have their other ends connected to similar rings 2O forming part of a cylin drical member 22 which slides on the trame 14.

An annular ridge 24 is formed in the cylindrical element 22 near the forward edge thereof and rear-wardly extending walls 12 ot the target 1() are fitted over this member 22 with the annular ridge 24.

Clamped upon the walls 12 is a retaining element 26, also cylindrical in t'orm and having an annular ridge 28 extending there around in cooperative relation to the ridge 24. At the top of this ring like member 26 is formed a pair of clamping elements 30 held together by means of bolts 32 and nuts 34, whereby the tension of the ring 26 may be adjusted. In this way the target 10 is positioned over the drum 14 and by operation of the turn-buckles 18, the tension of said target may be adjusted over quite a considerable range.

Fitted inside the drum 14 is a supporting element 36, also preferably cylindrical in shape and provided with integral upwardly and downwardly extending lugs 38 through which are openings 4() adapted for the passage of nails or screws whereby the entire device may be conveniently attached to a tree or the like 42 or in position against a wall fence or any other suitable support.

In Figure 5 is illustrated a slight modilication ot' the invention whereby the rubber drum head or the like 10 is supplanted by circular frame 44 having stretched across its tace a series ot helical springs 46 whereby the sameI result is accomplished.

It will be seen that herein is provided a means for playing ball which will automatically return a pitched ball to the pitcher with substantially the same torce and momentum as that of the originally delivered ball. Further, the direction o't' the ball returned by this apparatus will be whollyv dependent upon the accuracy ot the original throw by the operator as it' the ball strikes in the middle ot target 10, it will be directly returned along the same line. It', however, the ball strikes near the sides or edges ot the target, its direction ot return will he correspondingly altered, owing to the angular relation between those portions of the target on eithei side of the point at which the ball Y strikes.

I am aware that many changes may he made and numerous details ot c nstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles oit this invention and I therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

l. A pitchers practice target including in combination a resilient target and means vor supporting said target, said means comprising a cylinder over which the target is stretched and clamping` means 'foi-.the target edges slidable on the cylinder.

Q. A pitchers practice target including in combination a resilient target and means tor supporting` said target, said means comprising a cylinder over which the target is stretched and clamping ineens for the target edges slidalole on the cylinder, together with means for adjusting the relation otl the clamping means to thc target supporting cylinder.

3. A pitchers practice target including in combination a resilient target and means for supporting said target, said means comprising a cylinder over which the target is stretched and clamping means tor the tai'gets edges slidable on the cylinder, together with means for adjusting the relation the clamping means to the targetsupporting cylinder, said means comprising a series ot turn-buckles.

4i. A pitchers practice target including in combination a resilient target and means for supporting said target7 said means comprising a cylinder over. which the target is stretched and clamping means 'for the target edges slidahle on the cylinder, together with means for adjusting the relation of the clamping means to the target supporting` cylinder, and additional means Ai'or supporting the entire device, said means comprising a cylinder fitted inside the target supporting cylinder.

5. A pitchers practice target including in combination a resilient target and means for supporting said target, said resilient target comprising a circulaitraine and a plurality of helical springs stretched across said trame.

n testimony whereof I atti): my signature.

ALFRED HiLLsTRoM. 

